During the past few decades Glasgow, the UK's fourth largest city, has re-invented itself from a rather economically depressed industrial centre to an interesting modern metropolis with a thriving arts and culture scene, which has earned it accolades like the 'European City of Culture' title in 1990, 'City of Architecture' in 1999 and the 'UNESCO City of Music' in 2008.<br /><br /> In days of yore Glasgow depended on shipbuilding and engineering for its wealth; the city fell into decline in the mid-20th century with massive poverty and unemployment. Prosperity has returned however, riding on the back of 21st century technology, and Glasgow is now the hub of Scottish film, theatre, writing, music and design, capturing worldwide attention.<br /><br /> The city has more than 20 galleries and museums to complement the architectural heritage of architects like Alexander Thomson, renowned for his classical designs, and Charles Rennie Mackintosh, master of Art Nouveau.<br /><br /> The youthful, progressive atmosphere of the reborn Glasgow is encouraged by its large student population, which is spawned by four universities and several colleges, and reflected in the numerous lively restaurants, pubs and attractive shopping precincts.<br /><br /> Tourists find plenty to see and do in Glasgow, and can also use it as a base to explore the surrounding countryside, boasting some of Scotland's most scenic mountains, glens, lochs and coastline.<br /><br />

Burrell Collection

Address: 2060 Pollokshaws Road, Pollok Country Park Glasgow

Admission: Free admission Monday to Thursday and Saturday 10am to 5pm, Friday and Sunday 11am to 5pm.

Telephone: (0)141 287 2550

Glasgow's top cultural attraction was donated by the shipping magnate Sir William Burrell in 1944. Over his lifetime, Burrell amassed more than 8,000 works of art. The collection includes hundreds of sculptures, drawings and paintings from the 15th century to the present, some notable medieval European tapestries, as well as artefacts from Arabia and the Orient. The collection is housed in a functional, purpose-built building set in the sedate surroundings of Pollok Country Park.<br /><br /> Although it may seem unassuming, the building was meticulously designed to showcase the collection and complement the natural landscape. Within walking distance of The Burrell is Pollok House, which contains a fine collection of Spanish paintings including works by Goya, Murillo and El Greco. The Edwardian house is the ancestral home of the Maxwell family, who donated the house and the collection to the National Trust in 1966.<br /><br /> Currently undergoing extensive renovations, the Burrel Collection is set to reopen in 2020. The changes to the museum will increase its floor space fourfold, allowing 90% of Burrel's collection to be on display at any given time.<br /><br />

Gallery of Modern Art

Address: Royal Exchange Square Glasgow

Admission: Free admission Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday 10am to 5pm, Thursday 10am to 8pm, Friday and Sunday 11am to 5pm

Telephone: (0)141 287 3050

Located in a former Grecian-style mansion near George Square and Buchanan Street, the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) displays Glasgow's extraordinary range of post-war art and design. Opened in 1996, the gallery includes works by Niki de Saint Phalle, David Hockney, Sebastiao Salgado, Andy Warhol and Eduard Bersudsky as well as Scottish artists such as John Bellany and Ken Curry. GoMA is Scotland's most visited modern art gallery, and is conveniently located in Royal Exchange Square, in the heart of the city.<br /><br /> The permanent collection tends to divide visitors, with hugely varied reviews of the museum from tourists, with some visitors finding it fascinating, inspiring and edgy, while others lament the lack of 'real art'. The statue of the Duke of Wellington with a traffic cone on its head, just outside the museum, has become rather iconic. There is free internet access in the museum and an impressive library, with an extensive collection of art and design books and a simple cafe. The gallery hosts special events and exhibitions throughout the year; check the official website to see what is on during your visit.<br /><br />

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Address: Kelvin Park, Argyle Street Glasgow

Admission: Free admission Open daily, from 10am to 5pm (Monday to Thursday and on Saturdays), from 11am to 5pm (Fridays and Sundays)

Telephone: +44 141 276 9599

Glasgow's principal art gallery and museum, the Kelvingrove is one of Scotland's most popular free attractions. This imposing red sandstone building, opened in 1901, houses a superb collection of paintings by old masters such as Botticelli, Rembrandt, Monet, Van Gogh and Picasso, as well as an impressive display of European armour, military weapons and prehistoric relics. There are 22 themed galleries containing an incredible 8,000 artefacts and objects from all over the world and covering extremely wide-ranging interests and subjects, ensuring that every visitor should be able to find something that genuinely interests them in the museum.<br /><br /> For many people, the main attraction of the permanent collection is a room dedicated to the works of the 19th-century architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh, who studied at the Glasgow School of Art and designed many of the city's great Art Nouveau buildings. The museum also hosts regular temporary exhibitions, for which visitors are usually charged a small entrance fee. There is a pleasant restaurant at the museum, and a shop for souvenirs. Kelvingrove is one of the top attractions in the city and generally receives rave reviews from tourists.<br /><br />

Glasgow Science Centre

Address: 50 Pacific Quay, Glasgow Glasgow

Admission: Science Mall: £11 (adults), £9 (children). Add-ons available for the IMAX Theatre and planetarium at £2.50 per person Open daily, from 10am to 5pm (summer); open Wednesday to Friday from 10am to 3pm, and on weekends from 10am to 5pm (winter).

Telephone: 0141 420 5000

One of the city's premier tourist spots, the Glasgow Science Centre is a captivating attraction that will appeal to visitors of all ages. Located in Glasgow's Clyde Waterfront Regeneration area, the Science Centre has been awarded a five-star ranking from VisitScotland, the country's official tourist board. There is much to see and do in the Glasgow Science Centre. The heart of the Centre is its Science Mall, which features hundreds of interactive exhibits spread over three floors.<br /><br /> The Science Mall includes fun, hands-on experiences focused on how the body works, perception and illusion, powering the future and quantum technologies, to name a few. The Glasgow Science Centre is also home to an IMAX theatre and Scotland's leading planetarium. A world-class attraction, a trip to the Glasgow Science Centre is a must for visitors to this Scottish city, and an absolute godsend for those travelling with kids. Put aside at least three or four hours to take it all in.<br /><br />

Glasgow Cathedral

Address: Cathedral Square, Castle Street, Glasgow Glasgow

Admission: Free admission, though donations are appreciated In summer (April to September): Open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5.30pm, on Sundays from 1pm to 5pm. In winter (October to March): Open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 4.30pm, and on Sundays from 1pm to 4.30pm. Last admission to the Cathedral is always 30 minutes before the closing time.

Telephone: 0141 552 8198

The history of the city of Glasgow is intimately linked to that of the Glasgow Cathedral, as it was the city's patron saint, St Mungo, who oversaw its original construction. The Saint's remains are buried in the cathedral's crypt, and the cathedral itself continues to form a vital part of the religious life of the city of Glasgow. The church has now been in constant use as a place of worship for a remarkable 800 years and its age is palpable. The cathedral's age is all the more remarkable considering how many of Scotland's churches were destroyed during the Reformation.<br /><br /> The impressive medieval building, which dates back to the late 12th century, is one of the best examples of Scottish Gothic architecture you'll find anywhere in the country, featuring vaulted arches, stained glass, and spires that have been beautifully blackened with age. A highly recommended activity for tourists in Glasgow, take about an hour to explore the Cathedral's quiet, serene and splendid interior. Guide books in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish are available at the cathedral and simple leaflets are available in 12 different languages. Guided tours can be arranged, although this service is more limited in the winter months.<br /><br />

Glasgow International Comedy Festival

Where: Various,Glasgow

When: 8 - 25 March 2018

The Glasgow International Comedy Festival; now more than a decade old, is the largest festival of its kind in Europe. The festival attracts bigger crowds every year, showcasing the best of local comedic talent as well as some of the biggest comedians worldwide. The festival programme now includes more than 350 shows in 40 venues around the city, including the Citizens Theatre and the Kings Theatre. The programme is about more than just stand-up comedy, featuring a great variety of entertainment spanning all forms of comedy with something to suit all tastes and ages.<br /><br /> There are live stand-up shows by some of the biggest names in comedy, as well as character acts, political satirists, classic family variety acts, children's entertainment, workshops, screenings of comedy film classics, and theatre productions. Every year the full programme is released early in the year, and it is a good idea to book a few months in advance to avoid disappointment, particularly for the most popular acts. It is also recommended that accommodation is booked well in advance for those visiting during the Glasgow International Comedy Festival. Check the official website for details.<br /><br />

West End Festival

Where: Various,Glasgow

When: 2 - 27 June 2018

Every summer the Bohemian West End in Glasgow becomes the stage for performances, film, music, street parties and exhibitions. The West End Festival is the biggest event on Glasgow's cultural calendar. These days, the festival includes more than 400 performances in about 80 venues. Festival Sunday is the highlight of the celebrations, with the famous Midsummer Carnival and Street Party taking over Byres Road in a swirling procession of colour and dancing, with a variety of other activities in the area.<br /><br /> The day is filled with street theatre, funfair rides and stalls, comedy shows, a farmer's market, art fairs, music performances and regular features such as Shakespeare in the Park. Many of the events are public and free of charge, so that even without buying tickets for any of the big performances visitors can have a splendid time walking around the area and enjoying the street artists, exhibitions, stalls, live music concerts and party atmosphere. The festival was first held in 1996 and has been growing steadily in size and popularity ever since. Check the official website for the full festival programme and details on the event.<br /><br />

Glasgow Jazz Festival

Where: Merchant City,Glasgow

When: 20 - 24 June 2018

One of the biggest jazz festivals in Europe, the Glasgow Jazz Festival infects the Merchant City area with a celebratory atmosphere, spilling out onto the streets from the bars in the neighbourhood and from the main open-air stage in George Square. Musicians from around the world, and the best performers from all over Scotland and the UK, flock to the city to take part in lively concert performances that have attracted huge crowds every year.<br /><br /> First held in 1987, in a bid to rival the cultural festivals of other big European cities, the Glasgow Jazz Festival has become a major feature on the city's cultural calendar. As well as a variety of jazz styles, the festival has extended its programme to encompass compatible genres like world music, blues and hip hop. The full programme and venues are available on the official website and tickets can also be bought via the site. True jazz enthusiasts may well travel to Glasgow specifically to attend the festival, but travellers who happen to be in the city during the jazz festival will also find the programme entertaining. It is not necessary to be an established jazz fanatic to enjoy the variety of musical events on offer.<br /><br />

The Corinthian Club

Address: 191 Ingram Street, Merchant City Glasgow

Food Type: International

The Corinthian in Glasgow is one of the most popular venues in the city. A bar/restaurant/nightclub, situated in a stately former Bank of Scotland building with fully-restored Victorian style, it's a truly impressive location. The menu is full of local specialties, including Aberdeenshire steak, Ayrshire corn-fed chicken, Loch Fyne mussels, and Gruth Dhu cheese. The venue is always hopping, and it's best to make a reservation ahead of time.<br /><br />

Fanny Trollopes

Address: 1066 Argyle Street Glasgow

Food Type: Local

For good, local Scottish food in Glasgow, many head to Fanny Trollope's. The decor and service are both old-fashioned and welcoming, and the menu is constantly adjusting to what produce is in season with new and old favourites like Glenfarg lamb, ox cheeks, Cullen skink, and orange marmalade. As a bonus, the kitchen has a reputation for being accommodating to vegetarians. Fanny Trollope's is open Tuesday to Thursday from 5pm, Friday to Sunday from 12pm (closed 2pm-5pm).<br /><br />

Shopping in Glasgow is one of the best-kept secrets in Europe. The city is second only to London for the most retail space in the UK, and attracts dedicated shoppers from all over the country.<br /><br /> The heart of the Glasgow shopping districts is the 'Golden Z', which zigzags through the city centre along the pedestrian malls of Argyle, Buchanan and Sauchiehall streets. Here you'll find all the major European brand names, with Buchanan Street and its mall the Buchanan Galleries attracting the most upmarket shops. The Argyle Arcade has a large concentration of jewellery shops, and Princes Square is a stylish centre set in a renovated Victorian building.<br /><br /> If chain stores aren't your fancy, nearby Bath Street and Hope Street are home to a number of independent shops and boutiques where you can find a unique Glasgow souvenir or gift. De Courcy's Arcade has a fun variety of book and music stores, and a few quirky independent gift shops. Popular Glasgow souvenirs include wool knits like cashmere sweaters, mittens and scarves; swirling paperweights of Caithness glass; and local food like smoked salmon and shortbread cookies.<br /><br /> There are also city centre markets that are well worth a visit, including the Barras in the East End, which boasts hundreds of market stalls selling all manner of items. Be wary of counterfeit goods however, as the market is rife with knock-offs and pirated goods.<br /><br /> There are a few popular shopping malls in Glasgow, mostly on the periphery of the city. The biggest and busiest can be found in Braehead, Silverburn and Glasgow Fort.<br /><br /> Shops in Glasgow are generally open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, closing later (8pm) on Thursday evenings. The shops in the outer parts of the city may be open slightly later, and more and more stores are opening on Sunday afternoons.<br /><br />